Carton folding mechanism



Sept. 2, 1952 R. J. HICKIN CARTON FOLDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed Oct. 4, 1950 ZSnventor (Ittorneg Sept. 2, 1952 R. J. HICKlN CARTON FOLDING MECHANISM a Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 4, 195Q R- J. HlCKlN CARTON FOLDING MECHANISM Sept. 2, 195 2.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 4, 1950 Patented Sept. 2, 1952 CARTON FQLDING MECHANISM 7 Robert J. Hickin, Rittman, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Boxboard Compa poration of Ohio ny, Rittman, Ohio, a cor- Application October 4, 1950, Serial No. 188,405 7 This invention relates to mechanismfor folding or setting-up paperboard cartons, and it has particular reference to mechanism for insuring the proper folding to erected condition of flat paperboard carton blanks having certain parts that must be individually folded and which are separated only by cuts and hence have a tendency to adhere to one another and are apt to interfere in the automatic setting-up of the carton blank to carton form.

As is well known in the industry, the eflicient operation of carton folding or setting-up machines is dependent in large measure upon the design of the flat paperboard blanks whereby operation of the machines is neither retarded nor fouled, to thus avoid improper or inaccurate folding operationsand reduce loss of material and time and. increase the output of perfect cartons. However, some styles of cartons embody features which are essential to their formation but which make their folding or settingup to erected form diificult by automatic machinery, and it-is necessary, therefore, that the machines be adapted to set up such cartons.

In the past, in the design and fabrication of carton blanks of the general type which include parts, particularly securing and glue flaps, that are contiguous to other carton parts, such as side and/or end wall members, and would normally be defined and separated from such members merely by cuts or slits, it has been customary, in order to insure proper relative movement of the contiguous parts and to guard against faulty operation of the machines in the folding or setting-up operation, to provide V- cuts between such parts to thereby leave a free space between them. This requires additional slitting knivesrin the cutting dies and necessitates what is known as scrapping to remove from the finished cut and scored blanks the paperboard material embraced by the V-cuts in order to properly prepare the blanks for sale and use, particularly where automatic folding or settingup machines are to be employed, which is generally the case.

Also, there are certain types of cartons, as hereinbefore intimated, which embody structural details, such as interlocking members on the several parts, the blanks for which will not admit of the formation of V-cuts, and such blanks when being set up by automatic machinery are often apt to, and frequently do, cause considerable waste of material due to the fact that the automatic machines cannot always operate upon them successfully.

Moreover, some carton stock, particularly lami- 9 Claims. (CI. 93-51) nated stock, from which carton blanks are made, has a tendencyto warp or curl, and this makes proper register of the blanks with the mechanism of the folding or setting-up machines difiicult and often faulty, again resulting in wastage.

The object of the present invention is to provide in a carton folding or setting-up machine or mechanism, means whereby the proper separation and folding of the .parts of the carton blank are assured, to thus make possible simplification of the carton blanks and reduction of wastage in the course of their erection, and to provide for proper register of the-blanks with respect to the operative elements of the machine or mechanism whether such blanks are in proper fiat condition or are warped or curled when fed to the mechanism or machine.

The invention comprises means cooperatively functioning with the folding or setting-up mechanism or machine, and timed in relation to the normal operation of its parts, whereby proper separation and relative folding of the parts of the blanks are insured and proper register of the blanks with the mechanism is reliably accomplished, all as will be explained hereinafter more fully and finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in theseveral figures of which like parts are similarly designated,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton blank of conventional form wherein, V-cuts are provided to insure proper separation of contiguous parts during the automatic folding or setting-up of the blank tocarton form,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a blank in which the V-cuts are omitted, same being capable of proper, trouble-free erection by mechanism embodying the novel features of the invention,

Fig. 3' is a perspective view of a carton set up or erected from the blankof Fig. 2,.

Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the inner face of a carton blank in which the presence of interlocking elements formed integrally with and bearing a certain cooperative relation to the carton parts makes impracticable the provision of V-cuts or the like; blanks of this'type capable of being properly erected'by mechanism embodying the novel features of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a carton set up from the blanks ofthe type shown in Fig. 4,

' Fig. 6 is a plan view of parts of a rather conventional' carton folding or setting-up machine, particularly the die-cavity forming parts thereof and associated elements,'but omitting the cooperating plunger, with mechanism embodying 3 the features of the invention associated therewith,

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 6, and including the plunger, and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmentary sectional elevations, taken in the plane of line 88, Fig. 6, andshowing various stages inthe operation of the mechanism of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the fiat paperboard carton blanks there shown are substantially similar in all major respects and are, when erected, capable of providing the same style of cartons or trays, as shown in Fig. 3. These blanks provide a bottom member a, side wall members it and end wall members c, defined from the bottom member by folding scores d and e, respectively, indicated by ciated securing flaps are directly contiguous to and substantially coextensive with the end wall members 0, being separated therefrom merely by the simple, linear incisions r cuts 2'.

When a carton is set up from the blank of Fig. 2, as shown in Fig. 3, the straight edges 2" of the securing ilaps will bear against the carton bottom a and furnish greater rigidity to the side and end wall members b and 0 than when they slant upwardlyinwardly of the carton due to the V-cuts h, Fig. 1, as will readily be apparent. It will be understood that this is an advantage made possible by the single cut or slit 1' the use of which is made feasible by practice of the invention.

I s- 1 and the special form of tray shown is of conventional form and includes a bottom member 1', double side wall members k formed by n lded o t s nd a type of nd wall members 1 formed of two integral parts folded into interengagement when the carton or tray is erected. a

It will be noted that in the blank of this carton (Figs. 4 and 5) it is impossible, due to special structural features, to separate the securing flaps m from the end wall members 1 by cuts of V-formation as in the blank of Fig. 1. .On the contrary, they must have single slits or cuts n of such shape as to provide at the lateral edges of the inner members of the end walls lugs o for locking engagement with complemental notches p formed in the longitudinal end edges of the side wall members It, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 5.

As hereinbefore indicated, conventional carton setting-up or folding mechanisms or machines, when furnished with apparatus embodying the features of the invention, are capable of effectively and satisfactorily operating upon carton blanks of which the forms shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and 4 and 5 are broadly representative, that is to say those in which theparts, primarily the wall members and contiguous securing flaps, are separated merely by single incisions or cuts.

Having reference to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be seen that the carton folding or setting-up machine there shown includes, as elements of more or less conventional form, longitudinal rails l the opposed inner, slightly rounded, edges 2 of which provide the sides of a die cavity 3, and transverse bars 4, having their preferably rounded edges 5 somewhat depressed below the edges 2 of the rails l (Figs. 8 to 10) for a purpose hereinafter appearing, forming the ends of the die cavity 3.

ceive, support and guide carton blanks fed into register with the die cavity 3 (see dot and dash lines, Fig. 6). Conventional pusher fingers, not shown, and stops 9, insure proper register of the blanks laterally of the die cavity in a known manner.

,A reciprocable plunger I0 (Figs. 7 to 10) co operates with the die cavity 3 toforce the carton blanks successively fed into register down into the die cayity, ultimately to form and discharge the blanks as erected cartons in a well known manner.

Qbviously, as is customary, the die cavity forming members and their associated parts, ineluding the plunger and the mechanism of the invention, are adjustable or replaceable to accommodate the apparatus to carton blanks of different sizes and of varying structural characteristics, and certain means for such adjustment are shown in ,Figs. 6 and 7 but are not specifically described as it is thought their general nature will be apparent.

The mechanism of the invention comprises at the-ends of the ,die cavity 3 V-shaped plate members 1] carried by cross shafts [2 in substantial parallelism with the edges 5 of the ends of the die cavity and hence in substantial parallelism with the folding .scores (such as 6) between the bottom and end wall members a and 0, respectively, .of the carton blanks registered with the die cavity.

Theshaits E2 are mounted in rotative bearings 53 carried by transverse support members l4 adjustable on the longitudinal rails l by slot and bolt means l5, [-6, and each of the shafts carries at one end an operating lever I1 movable in timed relation to the reciprocation of the plunger H) by suitable actuating mechanism, such, for example, as pressure-fluid (compressed air) operated'means including cylinders I8 having pistons 19 the rods 20 of which are connected by links 2i with the levers ll. Pressure-fluid (compressed air) is supplied to the cylinders l8 above their pistons 9 to move the pistons down and rock the shafts, left and right, respectively, clockwise and counter-clockwise, and when the fluid is exhausted the pistons are returned by compression springs 22. Admission and exhaust of pressure-fluid can be effectively controlled by appropriate valve means 23 actuated by cam means 2 3 on a shaft. 25 rotated by mechanism having its operation timed to the reciprocation of the plunger It, or forming a part of means for imparting such reciprocation. Stops 26 and 21 engaged by complemental parts 23 of the levers I! are preferably provided for determining the two operative limits of movement of the V-shaped .5 plate members II, as will be explainedhereinafter. v l

The two angularly-arranged walls-'29 and 30 of the V-shaped plate members ll have-distinct functions in the operation of the mechanism. One of these walls, 29, when the plate member is in its normal, at rest, position (Figsfi-to 8 and 10) is arranged in horizontalplanar alignment with, and forms in effect a continuation of, the blank supporting surface 8 of its respective carton blank supporting and guiding way bland its other wall 30 provides a longitudinal registerimparting means for a blank fed to position over the die cavity 3. When the plate member is oscillated to its other position (Fig.9) the latter said wall 30 functions to displace o'r depress the underlying end wall member of the carton blank. Y

Adjustable registering stops 3| flanking the plate members H serve to cause accurate endwise register of the carton blanks after they have been engaged by the plunger Ill and just prior to their being forced by the plunger into the the cavity 3, as will later be described. I

Referring particularly to Figsi 8 to 10, the operation of the carton folding mechanisr nlwill be described as follows: A carton blank ofthose successively fedby approved'means to the ways 1 in timed relation to the reciprocation of the plunger H3, is moved, when the plunger is in its fully elevated position, into register over the'di'e cavity 3 with its leading edge abuttingagainstthe stops 5 its end wall members 0 supported and longitudinally registered by the V-shaped plate members H, and its securing flaps f resting upon the upper surfaces of the chamfered blocks 6, as shown in Fig. 8. As the plunger [0 descends, and just prior to contact of its lower face with the registered bottom member a of the blank, as shown in Fig. 9, thevalve member 23 (Figs. 6 and 7) will be actuated by the cam member 24, timed to movement of the plunger, to admit compressed air to the cylinders I8 to depress the pistons l3 and, through the piston rods 20, links 2! and levers l1, oscillate the shafts l2 and their attached plate members H so that the walls 30 of these plate members will displace or depress the end wall members 0 of the carton blank'out of the plane of the blank, as shown in Fig. 9. This action upon the end wall members breaks them free from the rigidly supported securing fiaps upon the slits or cuts 2'. In its continued descent the plunger I0 contacts the blank and forces it downward, the securing flaps f meanwhile being bent upwardly upon their folding scores g by the blocks 6, as is customary, and further descent of the plunger forces the blank into the die cavity so that first the side wall members I) will be erected, carrying with them the securing flaps j which latter will be cammed inwardly by the chamfered faces of the blocks 6. Then the end wall members 0 will be bent upward exteriorly of the securin flaps and fiat against the same, as shown in Fig. 10, the erected carton finally being discharged from the die cavity, and the plunger being elevated to its starting position. Obviously, the depression of the active edges 5 of the members 4 below the active edges 2 of the rails I makes the steps of the folding operation again he in the plane of the blank and their end edges will contact the end registering stops 3| which, ifthe blank is not in proper endwise register with the die cavity, will perfect its register endwise thereof. Also, substantially at this point of descent of the blank, and preferably immediately upon its contact with the upper surfaces of the die cavity forming parts, the cam 24 will actuate the valve 23 to exhaust the air from the cylinders I8 so that the return springs 22 will immediately flip the'plate members II back to their initial position, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, thus clearing the way for erection of the end wall members 0 of the carton and readying the parts for reception of the next successively fed carton blank after the plunger ID has risen.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that, if the carton blanks are of the type having a tendency to curl or warp, the pressure of the walls 30 of the plate members I I to the end wall members 0 during their displacement or depression of same, as shown in Fig. 9, will tend to flatten out the b anks and thus, when the end edges of their end wall members contact the registering stops 3], move the blanks to more exact register with the die cavity 3.

In erecting carton blanks such as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where the end wall members 0 are attached to the securing flaps ,fby adhesive, as is customary, it will be'under-stood, of course, that adhesive is applied, preferably t the under facesof the securing fiaps', 'at some point in the setting-up operation priof to erection of the end wallmembers d. i Y i I Various changes and modifications are considered to be within the principle of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

WhatIclaim is: I g

1. In carton folding mechanism for folding to erected form a flat paperboard carton blank having a bottom member, side and endwall members defined from said bottom member by folding scores, and securing fiaps defined from the side wall members by folding 'scoresfand contiguous to but separated from the end wall members by cuts; means defining a die cavity, means for supporting a flat cartonblank'in' operative register with said die cavity, a rmger reciprocable relatively to'said die cavityfand serving to force said blank into said cavity to bendth'e side and end wall members thereof into position substantially normal to the bottom member, means serving during such forcing operation to fold said securing flaps upon their folding scores into securing relation to the end wall members, and positively actuated means movable for contacting engagement with said end wall members and functioning prior to such forcing operation for displacing said end wall members from the plane of the carton blank, whereby folding of said securing flaps will not be interfered with by said end wall members.

2. In carton folding mechanism for folding to erected form a flat paperboard carton blank having a bottom member, side and end wall members defined from said bottom member by folding scores, and securing flaps defined from the side wall members by folding scores and contiguous to but separated from the end wall members by cuts; means defining a die cavity, means for supporting a flat carton blank in operative register with said die cavity, a plunger reciprocable relatively to said die cavity and serving to force said blank into said cavity to bend the side and end wall members thereof, in the order named,

7 into position substantially normal to the bottom member, means serving during suchforcing operation, and prior to bending of the side wall members, tofold said securing flaps upon their folding scores into securing relation to the end wall members interiorly thereof, and positively actuated means movable into contacting engagement with said end wall members and functioning in timed relation to the reciprocation of said plunger and prior to such forcing operation for displacing said end wall members from the plane of the carton blank, whereby folding of said securing flaps will not be interfered with by said end Wall members. v

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the end wall member displacing means comprise a member movable into contact with an end wall member to displace the same just prior to contact of said plunger with the carton blank.

4. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which the end wall member displacing means comprises a member movable into contact with an end wall member to depress the same just prior to contact of said plungerwith the carton blank. I

5. Mechanism as claimedin claim Lin which the end wall displacing means comprise an oscillatable member serving to engage and bend an end wall member just prior to contact of said p1unge1 with the carton blank.

6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which the end wall memberdisplacing means comprise a V-shaped plate having one of its walls constituting a part of the carton blank supporting means and its other wall serving as the means for displacing said end wall member, and means for actuating said V-shaped member in timed relation to the reciprocation of said plunger to move the first-named wall of the V-shaped member out of carton blank supporting position and bring the second-named wall of the V-shaped member into position for displacing contact with and to displace said end wall member.

7. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which the end wall member depressing means comprise a member movable into contact with each of said end wall members to depress the same just prior to contact of said plunger with the carton blank, and guide means flanking said movable member and arranged to contact the end edges of said end wall members just prior to forcing of the 8 blank into the dle cavity, thereby to register the blank endwise of said cavity.

8. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which the end wall member displacing means comprise a shaft having rotative bearings and arranged in substantial parallelism with the folding score of an end wall member, a V-shaped plate carried by said shaft and having one of its walls constituting a part of the carton blank supporting means and its other wall serving as the means for displacing said end wall member, and means for oscillating said shaft in timed relation to the reciprocation of said plunger to move the first-named wall of the V-shaped member out of carton blank supporting position and bring the second-named wall of the V-shaped member into position for displacing contact with and to displace said end Wall member.

9. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which the end wall member displacing means comprises a shaft having rotative bearings and arranged in substantial parallelism with the folding score of an end wall member, a V-shaped plate carried by said shaft and having one of its walls constituting a part of the carton blank supporting means and its other wall serving as the means for displacing said end wall member, and means for oscillating said shaft in timed relation to the reciprocation of said plunger to move the first-named wall of the V-shaped member out of carton blank supporting position and bring the second-named wall of the V-shaped member into position for displacing contact with and to displace said end wall member just prior to engagement of said plunger with the carton blank, and means for restoring the V-shaped member to its initial carton blank supporting position after said plunger has forced the blank into said die cavity.

ROBERT J. HICKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,391,669 Denmire Sept. 27, 1921 1,476,954 Denmire Dec. 11, 1923 

